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Thanks to all who voted on our last poll about the range of posts for homeschooling opportunities. The majority was in favor of just seeing opportunities from the Northwest Missouri area, so that is where we will continue to focus our resources. However, there were several who wanted to see opportunities from the entire US and even the world, so we will occasionally post especially intriguing resources and opportunities from further afield.

Announcements

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Listed below are some of the homeschooling events and activities in the St. Joseph, MO and Northwest Missouri area. Further down the page, you will find Recurring Events. You can also find all these and many others on theCalendar of Eventspage.

Homeschool Events and Activities

WORKSHOP ABOUT TEACHING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDSSunday, February 22, , MWSU Potter 112 Melissa Martiros from Martin Methodist College in Tennessee will present the program "Teaching Piano to Children with Special Needs." FREE and open to teachers, parents, and college students.At or about 3pm, we will have our Guest Clinician, Dr. Melissa Martiros present a workshop on working with special needs children. This will be a full hour.4:00 - 4:15pm, we will have a Q&A session. Following this, Dr. Martiros is happy to meet with teachers individually concerning questions they have with students. She is also happy to meet with any PARENTS of special needs children, as well!This event is hosted by the St. Joseph Area Music Teachers Association. To find out more, visit their website at www.stjoemusicteachers.org

FUNDAY MONDAY AT THE ROLLING HILLS LIBRARYMonday, February 23rd, 1pm at the Belt BranchOpen to children of all ages. All materials are provided. Space is limited so advance registration is required: http://rhcl.libcal.com/event/2011892.

HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM - BEAVERSFebruary 25th, 1:30-3:30Missouri Department of Conservation, St. Joseph, MO, in the large conference room. They will have room for 35 kids, ages 5-15 for this presentation and currently have 4 registered, so there is still time to get children signed up for this educational and fun program. They will be showing the IMAX feature film “Beavers: The Biggest Dam Movie You Ever Saw” and we will learn how Beavers played a key role in St. Joseph being discovered and well as a lot of other fun facts about the largest rodent to call Missouri home. Call Shelly Cox for reservations.816-271-3111 ext. 1442

YOUNG WRITERS CONTEST6th through 12th graders, enter your best poetry, fiction, or nonfiction work. Deadline for submission is February 28, 2105.All entries to be emailed to StJosephWriters@gmail.com.Prizes will be awarded and the winning entries may be selected for inclusion in the St. Joseph Writer’s Guild Anthology. Visit their website for more information.

P.E. CLASSES FOR HOMESCHOOLERSMissouri Western State University, beginning March 18th.Visit Dr. Britton Johnson's website for more information or click here to download the dates and times.

HOMESCHOOL 101 AT MARDELS IN INDEPENDENCEFHE will be offering a Homeschooling 101 classes on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Mardels Christian Bookstore, 4330 S. Bass Pro Dr., Independence, MO, across from Bass Pro, beside Hobby Lobby. This is a great class for those thinking of home education. There will be an overview of the law, different learning/curriculum styles, how to ideas, record-keeping, etc.Thursday, March 19, 2015 – 7pm Thursday, April 16, 2015-7pmThursday, May 21, 2015 – 7pmAl and Sheryl Schmidt, Families for Home Education Assistant Executive Director, FHE Region 6 East Director, 417-859-7908, 1-877-696-6343 ext. 62, fheregion6east@gmail.comFacebook page: Families for Home Educationwww.fhe-mo.org

Recurring Events and Activities

HOMESCHOOL CLASSES AT THE KANSAS CITY ZOOSeptember 10th, 2014 through December 18th, 2014Join us for our When Science Attacks homeschool classes. Each class will include a small tour, activities, possibly an animal encounter, and a take home activity, not to mention the opportunity to engage with our professional Zoo Educators on a variety of topics. Who: Children grades Kindergarten to 8th grade. Visit their website for more information and how to sign up.

EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AT LEGOLANDLEGO® Education and LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Kansas City have partnered to deliver high quality, curriculum-relevant, educational experiences that will prepare today's students for tomorrow's world. Visit before April 1st and save $1 per student on workshops. Call us now to book your visit at 816-556-3234 or email KCGroups@merlinentertainments.biz. Choose from the following series of LEGO Education workshops and download the workshop guides for teachers from their website.

EXCEL SPEECH SERVICES Kathy Blair is the owner of Excel Speech Services, providing speech therapy for the community. A speech pathologist specializing in working with pediatric patients and homeschool students of all ages. As an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certified, Missouri Teacher Certified, State of Missouri Licensed speech pathologist with over 20 years of experience, Kathy Blair has worked with many children over the years with various speech-language deficits. Speech therapy targeting articulation, receptive language, expressive language, overall language deficit, fluency (stuttering), speech apraxia, phonological process errors, resonance disorders (related to repaired cleft palate), speech delays related to ear infections and hearing loss, etc., Kathy has much experience helping children from the early childhood age range up through high school age. Her form of therapy focuses on the positive and involves play activity for younger children. As a homeschool mom herself, Kathy is homeschool friendly, providing therapy in a non-threatening, professional, parent/speech pathologist team manner. She currently offers speech evaluation and speech therapy services for a low, cash only, rate. This makes effective speech therapy available to the homeschool community at an affordable cost. She currently has many openings for new clients in her schedule. If interested in contacting Kathy Blair, please contact her through email or by phone!kathyslp@bbwi.net, 816-646-3238

MUSIC CLASSES FOR HOMESCHOOLERSJill Swann is offering a music classes for home school students in grades K - 6. She has a Bachelors of Music Education and a Masters of Church Music and has been teaching music to preschoolers for 11 years in St. Joseph. She now has her own studio and would love to expand her teaching to the elementary ages. She could teach either three classes (k-1, 2-3, 4-6), or two classes (k-3, 4-6) depending on the interest and wishes of the parents. She could even offer a 6th grade only class and include recorder and/or choir. She is open to the needs of the community. Email Jill for more information.

ICE SKATING SESSIONS FOR HOMESCHOOLERSWednesday mornings from 10am - 12 noonBode Ice Arena, 2500 SW Parkway, St. JosephCost: $5.00 (this includes skate rental)If there is enough interest, Bode can provide Basic Skills group lessons for the skaters. It would be an 6 week class on Wednesdays from 12 noon - 12:45pm. Cost for the class is $60, which includes a punch card for 6 free public sessions.If you have questions, please call the ice rink at 816-271-5352.

CHESS TEAM MONEYMAKERSThank you to all who have supported the chess team as we are raising money to make the trip to Supernationals in Nashville. We have four different fundraisers going on in February and appreciate any help you can give in either supporting them or helping us get the word out. Thank you!1. Hy-Vee coupon books are just $5 and include a coupon for $5 off $50 purchase as well as $45 more in coupons! It is a great deal. See any of the chess families going to Supernationals to get yours. 2. Tastefully Simple has great seasonings and meal helps as well as great treats. 100% of the profit goes to the chess team. To check out the catalog or place an order, go to: https://www.tastefullysimple.com/secure/pomm/SpecialInvitation.aspx?pxid=3317813&key=d3c9e647-ae6b-4cb8-b6c6-46875f5fa1e6Thanks for your support! For questions call Laura Morris at 816.262.9070 or email her.

EDUCATIONAL TOURS OF THE MISSOURI STATE CAPITOLEducators can have free educational tours of the Capitol in Jefferson City. Groups of 10 or more can register atmissouri.capitoltours@dnr.mo.gov.

DISCOUNT TICKETS TO THE CREATION MUSEUM Use coupon code 8111752 for a $20 two-day adult ticket, normally priced at $29.95.Purchase the discounted tickets at the $20 price online at www.creationmuseum.org until December 18, 2013 but the tickets are valid for a year after purchase date. The Creation Museum is a wonderful location to visit any time of year, but on Fridays and Saturdays in December they have a beautiful Christmas exhibit called "Christmas Town".

LOWES FREE BUILD & GROW CLINICSBuild a wooden project and get a free apron, goggles, patch, and much more.Visit their website for more details and to sign up.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION HOMESCHOOL FIELD TRIPSVarious dates and times (usually the third Wednesday or Thursday of each month, check the Calendar of events each month for the exact date, time, and each month's topic).MDC NW Regional Headquarters on the campus of MWSU in St. Joseph, MO.They will have a limit of 45 participants at each program. Parents attend with children. Age recommendation: 6 years through 18. All programs will be held at the Enter campus from the north on Faron Street. MDC is the first building on your left AFTER the baseball complex and pond. All programs are FREE.Please RSVP to Shelly at 816-271-3111 ext. 1442 or via email Shelly.Cox@mdc.mo.govPlease make sure that you sign up early...programs frequently reach full capacity. Also, please cancel your reservation if you find you are unable to attend so that other families will have the opportunity.

REMINGTON NATURE CENTER ACTIVITIESFriday Feeding Frenzy - come help feed the fish every Friday at 10:30 a.m.Second Saturday Kids Quest - second Saturday of every month (except holidays) at 1:00 p.m.Last Sunday Craft Club - last Sunday of every month (June-August, except holidays) at 1:00 p.m.Last Saturday Craft Club - last Saturday of every month (September-May, except holidays) at 1:00 p.m.Please RSVP to 816-271-5499 if you plan to attend.Check our Calendar of Events for more details or visit stjoenaturecenter.info.

ROLLING HILLS LIBRARY FUNDAY MONDAY CLUBFourth Monday of every month September through May, 1:30 p.m., Belt Branch, St. Joseph, MOCheck the Calendar of Events for details on each class.Seating is limited so advance registration is required. To sign-up, call 816-232-5479.Visit Rolling Hills Library Calendar for more information.

HOMESCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL TEAMSAnyone wanting information about girls volleyball and basketball teams can contact Rachel at revelationch.4@juno.com. They will be hosting several fund raisers this summer to raise money for nationals, gym fees, jerseys and referee fees. If you are interested in being in charge of a fundraiser, have ideas for a fundraiser, or any other ideas or suggestions for volleyball or basketball, please contact Rachel at Revelationch.4@juno.com.

HOMESCHOOL MATH CLASSES AND TUTORINGCertified teacher Tom Hund will be offering the following math classes for the 2012-2013 school year in his home (1615 County Line Road, St. Joseph, Missouri, 64505) at group rates: Algebra 1, Geometry, Advanced Math, and possibly Algebra II. He is contemplating offering a New Testament Greek class if there is enough interest. Classes begin at the end of August. Tom also offers individual math tutoring for all ages. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please email Tom Hund or call him at 232-2278.

HOMESCHOOL ART CLASSESArt Teacher Tracy Porter, with 18 years of experience teaching elementary/middle school art is offering to teach art lessons to homeschool students.A variety of art lessons will be taught, utilizing several medias and covering a range of elements and principles of art. Lessons will include focus on master artists, as well as integration of other subject matters: science, history, music, literature, and more. Each lesson will be finished within a two hour time frame. If there is extra time, we may have time for drawing lessons or other short projects. Cost: $10 per child per lessonSupplies to bring are noted for each lesson, some supplies will be provided.If interested, contact Tracy at tporter3@gmail.com or call 816-591-5679Class size will be limited to 15 students, ideal age is grades 2-8 Ms. Porter needs a location for classes. If you would like to host classes in your home, you will receive a discounted lesson price.

HOMESCHOOL DISCOUNT SKI PASS FOR SNOW CREEKAnyone who is interested in purchasing one can visit skisnowcreek.com/school_programs.html.Mondays will be HOMESCHOOL DAYS AT SNOW CREEK this coming season! Each Monday, home school groups will gather at Snow Creek to enjoy the wonderful sport of skiing/snowboarding and to connect with their fellow home-schoolers. The price is very affordable and includes lift tickets, rental equipment, lessons, and a lunch.